Being Irritable Is Illegal In The Philippines

Friday, March 18th, 2011 at
9:56 pm

Living In The Philippines — Unjust Vexation

Well, it is true, it is illegal to irritate or annoy someone living in the Philippines. Now of course there are conditions that have to be met. One problem though, there is no clear definition in the law what those conditions are.

I had forgotten this term, “unjust vexation” in the law of the Philippines. I ran across it not long after I arrived.

One might say it is a catch-all for someone “acting a fool.”

Here is a more formal definition of what unjust vexation is.

Art. 287. Light coercions. — Any person who, by means of violence, shall seize anything belonging to his debtor for the purpose of applying the same to the payment of the debt, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period and a fine equivalent to the value of the thing, but in no case less than 75 pesos. Any other coercions or unjust vexations shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine ranging from 5 pesos to 200 pesos, or both.

I found a bill in congress that increases the sentence to arresto mayor and the fine from 500 to 5000 peso. I don’t know if that bill ever became law.

Here are some example of how it was used in important cases that defined the law:

Not So Unusual

Looking at these I can see parallels to US law. An unwelcome touch is an assault. Holding someone against their will is false imprisonment. I’m not so sure about the offending someone’s religious practices. That would likely be protected under the first amendment in the USA. It would seem though that good old fashioned common sense that I’ve seen before in Philippine law is at play here. Since I’ve been living in the Philippines, I’ve noted a good deal of common sense is applied in the law.

This idea of threatening tone though, now that’s something that could get us rebellious natured American’s in trouble. American’s have a culture of many words where Filipino speak fewer words. I’m going to write a story about that. This subtle difference is a source of misunderstanding between the Philippines and Western cultures.

American’s are quick to express their views where Filipino, I think, are more likely to keep them to themselves and do what they want to do regardless of what you think. Sometimes this gives rise to allegations of deceit. More on that in another topic.

When living in the Philippines, mind your own business and don’t be rude. One often hears that just raising your voice to a Filipino is grounds for deportation. Perhaps this is the law that give the Bureau of Immigration justification for doing that. If you want to keep living in the Philippines don’t unjustly vexate. Is that a word? Its a Rustism.

How could a Southern man, like myself, not take note of this term vexation. That just sounds so southern to me. Ha Ha

There have been more recent cases of unjust vexation in the courts.

While researching this article, I noted a couple of lawyers that had issues with the law. Their objections seem to focus on the loose definition of how one commits unjust vexation. In fact, there seems to be no definition at all. But the common denominator is a simple one. That is annoyance or irritation of another.

4 Comments

Rusty, I hope that there is some leeway in that law. Being hearing impaired I tend to raise my voice and don’t realize that I am. A lot of people have taken me the wrong way because of that.
but I hope and dream of moving there someday!

I may be the most misunderstood person on earth. I tend to speak too softly and I think part of it is I’m afraid I’m speaking to loud. I speak Southern too so that makes it even harder for people.

I wouldn’t worry about that. The term raise your voices means in an insulting way. So far, Philippines law still has a huge dose of common sense in it.

Now, I can have a temper when dealing at times. I hate it when it rears its head. Awww, not in a violent manner, that’s not me. I wouldn’t be too concerned about that. Also, I’ve never seen it enforced. I did see a restaurant owner hauled into explain his aggressive behavior, expressed with a temper to some of his customers who just happened to be government officials. You have a pleasant personality online, I doubt you will be different in person.

If the Philippines followed the letter of the law rather than the spirit, the whole country might be at risk of being locked up.

Rusty,
I think that in many ways you and I are very much alike. And one things if I understood you correctly. We both have some form of PTSD or Anxiety stress disorder.
You seem to be like me in that you like the natural order of things, and the simpler things in life. A good wife a good home and family. You don’t have much to do with those who do nothing but complain.
I kinda like to be left alone at times, I like reading and music. I also like riding my trike a recycled VW transaxle and motor.And I build plastic models of trucks and heavy equipment out of plastic.
I don’t mind going out for a beer or a drink with the guys, but when I go I don’t stay long, conversation in groups is hard for me.
Like you I am also an inveterate watcher of the female of the species.
Oh by the way I think your Jessie looks great in her daisy dukes!!!

Yeah, I really like those shorts too. They are from Playboy. They are getting old though, I wish they had some more like that. Hard to get her in them. Easier when we are not in the city we live.

In my early adult years, I use to think being a hermit would be nice. I once said, a shed out in the forest would be great. A friend pointed out that a few days without air conditioning and you’d be out of the forest. haha He was right. In my early 40’s I considered Alaska for the same reason. Then I saw the cost of living. So, I ended up in a tropical jungle with a beautiful woman, air con and an Internet connection.

Observer, like me, tend to get over saturated with lots of stimuli of any kind. We like quiet peaceful places. I’ve never been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder as my doctor said it includes “A disorder means an inability to perform. Does that apply to you? Hardly.” But I have taken Xanax since late 20’s. I’ve never abused it. Once I was taking 4mg a day which is a LOT. An awful lot but I was pumped on 90mg of steroids a day to treat lupus and going through a divorce at the time was likely making the anxiousness and lupus worse. Lupus was threatening my life during those days.

I called to setup a checkup at the hospital. It is $700 or so. My insurance should reimburse all of that but I can’t count on that. My funds are low because of the Palawan trip and Jessie’s computer died. I probably should have done the physical first. I’m nto sure I went on the Palawan trip. I’m going to go see the doctor soon. Just not sure about the r to 5 days in the hospital. If my insurance doesn’t reimburse me, that would be bad. I’m afraid they will say it is not medically necessarily. I’ll probably do the phyiscal, I’ve got some scary stuff going on.

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